Magnetic head suspension assembly fabricated with integral load beam and flexure
AssigneeWestern Digital (Fremont), LLC
InventorsMichael R. Hatch, Chak M. Leung
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A magnetic head suspension assembly is fabricated with an integral piece which includes a load beam section, a flexure section, a rear mount section and a leaf spring section between the load beam and rear mount. A tongue extends from the load beam to the flexure and has a down-facing load dimple which contacts the non-air bearing surface of an attached air bearing slider. The flexure includes narrow thin legs adjacent to a cutout that delineates the load beam tongue. The head suspension is characterized by a high first bending mode frequency and low pitch and roll stiffness.
Claims30
A magnetic head suspension assembly including an air bearing slider and at least one transducer disposed on said slider for transducing data that is recorded and read out from a surface of a rotating magnetic disk drive comprising:
- a single integral planar piece of a specified thickness comprising,
- a load beam section formed with a narrowed end;
- a flexure section formed with two spaced narrow legs defining a cutout portion therebetween, said legs extending from said narrowed end of said load beam section, and a lateral ear spaced from said load beam section connecting said legs;
- a tongue extending from said end of said narrowed load beam section, said tongue being disposed between said legs of said flexure section, said tongue having a free end within said flexure section, said tongue being formed with a load dimple;
- said air bearing slider being bonded to said lateral ear and in contact with said load dimple;
- whereby load transfer is effectively separated from the gimbaling action of said slider so that the pitch and roll stiffness is effectively reduced.
An elongated disc drive magnetic head suspension formed from a single piece of planar material comprising:
- a load beam;
- a first member integral with said load beam having an integral protrusion facing in a direction normal to the plane of said single piece of planar material;
- a second member also integral with said load beam spaced apart from said first member, said second member providing a head mounting surface in said direction;
- and
- a pair of partially etched beams connecting said first and second members;
- and
- wherein said first member is disposed between said pair of partially etched beams.
An elongated disc drive magnetic head suspension formed from a single piece of planar material comprising:
- a load beam;
- a first member integral with said load beam having an integral protrusion facing in a direction normal to the plane of said single piece of planar material;
- a second member also integral with said load beam spaced apart from said first member, said second member providing a surface in said direction for mounting to a trailing edge of a non-air bearing surface of a slider;
- and
- a pair of partially etched beams that connect said first and second members.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.